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Playing Backgammon to help improve game theory

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  1. dat333 dat333 is offline

    Christchurch
    New Zealand

    Posts: 118
    Joined: Oct 07

    Dec 19th, 2007 (12/19/2007 4:54pm)

    I know it's a little off topic but does anyone else here play backgammon? I know Maridu was a junior brazilian backgammon champ and there have been many successdful backgammon turned poker pros. For example Dan Harrington and Gus Hansen. Looking further into the game I find it interesting that every move has an optimal move. For every move there is a distinct move with the most equity. Here is an example of a game involving Bill Robertie (co author of Harrington on Holdem series) which shows the equity values for each move.

    Personally I have found backgammon to help get my mind thinking before a day of poker and can often help with super tilt or boring periods of mtts. I also find it has helped me understand fold equity/equity better in terms of game thoery. I.e If I form a new block leaving two pips exposed and there a five possible combinations of me getting hit making it 25% will my move still be gain me the most equity? or would it be more equitable to make an alternate move etc. etc.

    Just wondering if anyone else here plays???
  2. Lenny Lenny is offline lail henny!

    Nashville, TN
    United States

    Posts: 8,790
    Joined: Nov 05

    Dec 19th, 2007 (12/19/2007 5:00pm) in reply to dat333

    Very interesting topic. We actually strongly considered adding backgammon content to Pocketfives at one point, but the project got sidetracked.

    I am interested in this as well. So many great poker players are backgammon players as well, and I think there is a lot of crossover in the skill-sets and training in one can help you in the other and vice-versa, I think.
  3. dat333 dat333 is offline

    Christchurch
    New Zealand

    Posts: 118
    Joined: Oct 07

    Dec 19th, 2007 (12/19/2007 5:02pm) in reply to dat333

    Sorry here is the link to the Bill Robertie match: http://www.gammoned.com/grandell.html
    Thread Starter
  4. NWChicago NWChicago is offline

    Chicago, IL
    United States

    Posts: 76
    Joined: Nov 05

    Dec 19th, 2007 (12/19/2007 10:07pm) in reply to dat333

    Checkout dailygammon.com, it's a great free tournament website. I play as nwsubchi.
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